I put the word "Christian" in quotes to indicate that I am an espionage novelist who happens also to be a Christian. I don't write my novels to proselytize, but at the same time, some of my characters (though not all) share my world view. As a former spy myself, my espionage novels include authenticity of trade craft, but my spy still tries to go to Church on Sunday, as do I.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit - The Unpardonable Sin

WHAT IS THE 'UNPARDONABLE SIN'?

That's the "Sixty-Four Dollar Question" private investigator Michael Xavier Murphy reads in the newspaper, trying to kill time while he's on a stake-out with his brother and partner Joey.

In Murphy on the Mount, David Justice explores the enigma of the Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit as a subplot within a detective novel. But unlike many subplots you'll find in fiction, it's not just a secondary filler to pad the work. As the story unfolds, Murphy on the Mount is ultimately more about human redemption than merely cracking the case.

"Never heard of it but it makes my skin crawl, just the same — just the name. Kind of thing I would’ve learned in catechism if I’d gone parochial instead of first public and then hooky and then reform." (Murphy on the Mount, p. 73)

Now, the "Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit"—aka—the "Unpardonable Sin," is one of those classic exegetical quandaries. Let's look first at the source:

"Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.

Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come."

Matthew 12:31-32

We all know we sin. And so we count on forgiveness. That is why hearing those words from Jesus shakes us to our very core. What is this "Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit?" Because—if I did it, it would seem I'm lost for all time. And the real worry is that you could have done it, wish you could take it back, but it's too late. It's unpardonable. You're lost.

Solace comes from Church teachers who assure us that, as daunting as the passage seems, it's essentially stating the obvious. Namely, that God does not, indeed, cannot forgive unrepentant sin. And so, in the Orthodox tradition, Archbishop Sotirios writes in his Orthodox Catechism that:

"No sin is unforgivable except the sin of unrepentance which is, in essence, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit." (Repentance and Confession)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches the very same:

"There are no limits to the mercy of God, but anyone who deliberately refuses to accept his mercy by repenting, rejects the forgiveness of his sins and the salvation offered by the Holy Spirit." (paragraph 1864)

But Murphy knows none of that. What is the 'Unpardonable Sin'? He turns to page 54 to learn the answer:

IF YOU ANSWERED 'DESPAIR', GIVE YOURSELF HALF-CREDIT. THE CORRECT ANSWER IS—BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT

And Michael Murphy, alone in his thoughts, faces a dark night of the soul:

-->

"Uh-oh.

"My blood runs cold. Could I of done that? Not real likely — I can sin up a storm but I do watch my tongue. But even worse, what about Joey? He’s a sweet guy but he does have a temper sometimes, specially if he misses breakfast. Hits his thumb with a hammer or loses a Pop-tart behind the sink, and he blasphemes like nobody’s business, cussing something awful, mostly yapping on about the First and Second Persons, but who knows, maybe one time he got extra hot under the collar and was running out of G-words and J-words, he might’ve just gone and clipped one to the Ghost. Mighta done it, mighta not. — Never did hear him messing over the Virgin, though.

"Jeez — I mean Jeepers, this looks bad. My own brother, maybe even me! Cause it doesn’t say: Badmouthing the Spirit over sixty times, like a speed-limit, or even ten. It says: Just once, Jack, near as I can tell. And — “unpardonable” — do they really mean that? can they? Is that even possible? A buddy can pardon you anything if he feels like it, or you fork him a fiver or whatnot, so they must mean it’s God who’s doing the pardoning or not pardoning. And it sounds like in this case even He can’t do it, infinite mercy be blowed.

"Joey’s out, and I’m alone, and I start to panic..." (Murphy on the Mount, pp. 74-75)

And thus begins a compelling exploration of that human failing and frailty which longs for redemption and new life. All this, within the genre of detective fiction.

If you read his blog, the World of Dr. Justice, you'll find that David Justice is a mathematician, linguist, and philosopher/theologian. His academic credentials and publications are impressive enough, but he's also created a corpus of detective genre fiction focused on the Murphy Brothers. He's published them in Ellery Queen and Alfred Hitchcock. (Those previously published stories and others are available in his short story collection I Don't Do Divorce Cases. He also has a number of other short stories available on Kindle and Nook through his Murphy Brothers blog.)

And in all his writing, David Justice combines a command of genre fiction, engaging colloquial dialogue, and Christian themes. But he's certainly not writing what could be described as just "Christian Fiction." Michael Murphy is a deeply flawed character, albeit one with a singular virtue which he cannot depart from—he cannot, will not—ever—take a divorce case.

I don't want to give away the outcome of Murphy's angst over the meaning of the "Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit," except to promise that this subplot does have a full resolution. It's a beautiful turn of remarkable events. It's a journey of smiles and tears with Michael and Joey Murphy on the search for ultimate meaning.

1 comment:

There was the First Aion Age when Jesus was walking the Earth and arguing with the Pharisees, which corresponds to when Jesus said “This age” (Bible, New Testament, Matthew 12:31-32)

There was the Second Aion Age when Jesus was dead in the tomb, which corresponds to when Jesus said “the age to come” (Bible, New Testament, Matthew 12:31-32)

There is a the Third Aion Age when Jesus was resurrected alive again and also is the Age when Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit is forgiven and is also the age that we are in now. This age goes on for eternity.

Thus ALL GO TO HEAVEN and nothing changed about grace. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the term word for unbelief.ALL GO TO HEAVEN BECAUSE unbelief is forgiven.

A Time in the Life of Jesus is an Age because Jesus is God and is that important.

“Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. ” (Bible, New Testament, Matthew 12:32)

Matthew 12:32 is when Jesus canceled the Old Code of the law found in Matthew 12:31.

“And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” (Bible, New Testament, Matthew 12:31)

“Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. ” (Bible, New Testament, Matthew 12:32)

In the Third age blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is forgiven along with all sins.

Jesus died for You You will go to heaven.

There was the First Aion Age when Jesus was walking the Earth and arguing with the Pharisees, which corresponds to when Jesus said “This age” (Bible, New Testament, Matthew 12:31-32)There was the Second Aion Age when Jesus was dead in the tomb, which corresponds to when Jesus said “the age to come” (Bible, New Testament, Matthew 12:31-32)There is a the Third Aion Age when Jesus was resurrected alive again and also is the Age when Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit is forgiven and is also the age that we are in now. This age goes on for eternity.

AddThis

A Place of Brightness is the First Novel in the Series

What is the "Place of Brightness"?

Set in mystical Romania, A Place of Brightness shares the saga of a family waging a generational struggle against tyranny. It is a story of action and adventure, love and faith, tears and triumphs.

This family of freedom fighters pray that the enemies they must kill will still find rest in a "Place of Brightness," quoting an ancient Eastern Orthodox prayer for the dead.The cruel enemies that seek their death are far less charitable.

5 Star Amazon Review

"A Place of Brightness is a spy thriller that belongs in the league of the Jason Bourne books, but the fresh setting, characters and plot puts it in a league of its own."

Your beloved dead care for you just as much now as when you could embrace them in life.

And when your heart aches and the stresses of this life swirl about, you can be connected with them through the precious bond of prayer. This book empowers you with the knowledge of how to draw upon the love that never died from the hearts of the dead.

Next Stop: Spanish is an adventure in which you can learn some Spanish.

5 Star Amazon Review: "Next Stop Spanish offers both an enjoyable reading experience and a chance to become familiar with a new language."

What is a "Christian" Novelist?

Why do I put the word "Christian" in quotes? While my protagonist, like myself, is a practicing Orthodox Christian, my spy novels are not morality tales, but authentic adventures drawing upon my personal experience within the NSA.

Meet Keith Massey

In Saecula Saeculorum is a time travel adventure set in ancient Rome.

5 Star Amazon Review: "In Saecula Saeculorum is an exciting adventure that has had me thinking back again and again on the journey. Ancient Rome comes to life in all its intrigue, glory, and grittiness. For anyone who loves history, time travel, languages, or just a great story, read In Saecula Saeculorum!"

Listen to my music on Spotify

Want to know the secret to success?

The high-stakes world of espionage can teach you some lessons that will maximize your productivity and motivate you to greater achievements. So set out into that cryptic and classified field and apply spy secrets to your own personal and professional life.

My Novels

My novels are romances, adventure stories, and espionage thrillers combined.They are stories of joy and loss, faith and love, action and intrigue.